Thermal Variation and Planting Methods Effects on the Growth and Yield of Amaranth in Maize-Amaranth Intercrop

A field study was carried out to investigate the thermal variation and planting methods effects on the growth and yield of Amaranth in Maize-amaranth intercropped. Maize and Amaranth were intercropped in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates in early planting season of 2009. The result showed that all parameters measured increased with plant age and significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed among the treatment levels. The result also showed that the mean soil temperatures of 27.13 and 26.31°C at 5 and 10cm respectively under Maize-Amaranth broadcast seeded enhanced the productivity of Amaranth by about 25% compare to Maize-Amaranth drill seeded with mean soil temperatures of 27.29 and 26.37°C at 5 and 10cm respectively below the soil surface. However, mean soil temperatures of 27.43 and 26.59°C at 5 and 10cm respectively under sole Amaranth drill seeded enhanced Amaranth yield by about 50% compared to sole Amaranth broadcast seeded with mean soil temperatures of 27.61 and 26.63°C at 5 and 10cm respectively. Mean fresh Amaranth yield in sole cropping; Amaranth drill seeded (40t/ha) and Amaranth broadcast seeded (63.20t/ha) were significantly higher than their counterpart in mix cropping of Maize-Amaranth broadcast seeded(33.33t/ha)and Maize-Amaranth drill seeded (22.53t/ha) while Sole Maize yield (M) (0.11t/ha) having a statistically higher yield than Maize-Amaranth drill (MAdr) (0.09t/ha) and Maize-Amarant broadcast (MAbr) (0.14t/ha).It was thus concluded that Amaranth broadcast seeded is recommended for intercropping while Amaranth drill seeded is a prefer option for sole Amaranth.